THE TWO companies that want to develop the old Turner's site have issued apologies.

THE TWO companies that want to develop the old Turner's site have issued apologies.

In a shock move, MMC Estates, the site owners, have said sorry to residents over the concern its actions had caused and recognised a 'significant presence' of asbestos on part of the site.

The company originally admitted to there being only small traces of asbestos when it submitted its initial planning application last December. It was later asked to revise its estimate.

MMC director Michael Drogan, in a statement to the Observer, said: "We would like to apologise to local residents for the confusion and concern our actions have caused since our purchase of the site in 2004.

"We recognise that this has brought about a sense of mistrust and has undermined our ability to work with the community. We are addressing this and plan to communicate more openly and regularly in the future."

He added: "Following the completion of significant investigations, which have now been published, we recognise there is significant asbestos contamination in areas of the woodland and have evidence of pockets of contamination in other parts of the site."

Meanwhile, Countryside Properties, which is looking to build 600 homes and a business park on the site, has also apologised for the 'miscommunication' surrounding the levels of asbestos.

Managing director Ian Kelley also said Countryside Properties had always maintained it would not purchase the site until it had been fully cleared and planning consent had been obtained.

"We do sincerely believe that remediation of the site is the best way forward for the community and there is no question that this sort of industrial site should be re-developed," he added.

Both companies are working with the council on a plan to clean the site before a revised planning application is submitted.

The move was welcomed with caution from campaigners Save Spodden Valley (SSV), who have waged a fierce battle to prove Turner's is heavily contaminated since 200 trees were felled on the site in May last year.

"The SSV campaign seeks a positive and permanent solution to contamination. Future generations of Rochdalians could pay the ultimate price if this is not done properly."

He added: "A mistake in communication is minor when compared to the damage to public health if mistakes are made on site.

"One further cancer death caused by asbestos from that site is one too many."

The admission has only revealed what residents and councillors have suspected for over a year, according to Councillor Tom Stott, chairman of a troubleshooting working party set up to look into contamination concerns.

He said: "In their initial reports they said there was little contamination. Now it is 'significant'.

"I am shocked that it has taken so long for the companies to admit what we have known for over 12 months."